A new research paper shows that generative AI adoption surpasses that of previous transformative technologies like PCs and the internet.

An article on Venture Beat (Generative AI adoption surpasses early PC and internet usage, study finds, written by Michael Nuñez and available here) discusses new research from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Vanderbilt University, and Harvard Kennedy School, which reveals the true extent of generative AI’s infiltration into everyday work life—and the results are eye-opening. According to the paper, The Rapid Adoption of Generative AI, the technology has taken hold faster than previous transformative technologies like the personal computer (PC) or the internet.

Just two years after the public release of ChatGPT, 39.4% of Americans aged 18-64 reported using generative AI, with 28% using it at work. To put that in perspective, it took two years for the internet to hit a 20% adoption rate and three years for PCs.

Here’s a graph from the paper that illustrates the respective growth rates:

Another notable finding is that generative AI is being used by everyone—not just tech workers. For example, 22.1% of “blue-collar” workers—those in construction, installation, repair, and transportation—regularly use generative AI on the job.

Nice! So, surely legal industry workers are adopting it at a much higher rate than “blue-collar” workers, right? Wrong. Only 20% of legal/social services workers are using it – the third lowest of the occupational groups. Let’s hope it’s the social services folks that are bringing us down. 😉

Check out the links to the article with more summary findings and the 46-page paper for details above.

So, what do you think? Are you surprised that generative AI adoption is higher than that of PCs and the internet at this stage? Please share any comments you might have or if you’d like to know more about a particular topic.

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